With 43,00 artifacts, 4 million photographs, and 70 million pages in documents, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is sure to be a historical landmark to rival in Dallas.
However, the center will not be up and running until 2013.

So why is the George W. Bush Foundation opening an exhibit on the library’s artifacts in the Meadows Museum this weekend?

Director of the George W. Bush Center Alan Lowe explained: “we really hope visitors will come to the exhibit to learn more about what we’re doing, to get a sneak peek at the artifacts, and to understand that our goal is to be a great resource for this community.”

Lowe also said that throughout the development process, the Bush Center has been identifying ways to better engage the SMU students and faculty.

At the “Breaking New Ground: Presenting the George W. Bush Presidential Center” exhibit, locals and visitors in the Dallas area can get a preview of what the Presidential Library will look like and what pieces it will house. Representatives from the Bush Foundation say it’s a way for them to raise interest and excitement for the future Center.

The exhibit in Meadows showcases pieces in an intimate space. Featured artifacts include a letter from Bono to President Bush, the pistol retrieved from Saddam Hussein during his capture, the bullhorn used by the President when he visited Ground Zero, an ensemble designed by Oscar de la Renta worn by Mrs. Bush at a White House dinner with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, plus many more.

“At the core we are about preserving and making accessible these materials and then using them to educate. We certainly hope this exhibit is part of that process,” said Lowe.

The exhibit, titled “Breaking New Ground,” also acts as a precursor to the scheduled Nov. 16 groundbreaking. This event has already stirred speculations of a large protest and many media outlets are on-call to cover whatever events may occur.

Taylor Adams of The Daily Campus asked Director Lowe his thoughts on the reaction to the November groundbreaking and possible protests.

“Our focus that day is on the groundbreaking and showing to the community what we are and what we plan on doing,” said Lowe. “We think we have a very positive story to tell here and a very important resource to provide – that’s what the day will be about for us.”

“Breaking New Ground” exhibit will be free and open to the public in the Meadows Museum from October 23, 2010 through February 6, 2011.